Jets counting on a young corps of wide receivers to step up

William Perlman/The Star-LedgerJeremy Kerley's left hamstring injury forced him to sit out of practice yesterday.

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Before Rex Ryan publicly called for Jeremy Kerley to “step it up,” the Jets coach pulled aside the second-year receiver on the practice field.

Kerley had just injured his left hamstring, after his right hamstring sidelined him for much of the offseason program. Ryan said he was disappointed in Kerley, and Kerley told him he agreed. So when Kerley heard about Ryan’s rare public criticism, he wasn’t surprised.

“Any time the head coach calls you out, it’s a target on your back,” said Kerley, who is expected to miss about a week with the injury. “I feel a little under pressure (even) if he didn’t call me out.”

The big picture is this: The Jets are counting on a very young, largely inexperienced receiving corps this season. Behind No. 1 receiver Santonio Holmes, and fifth-year pro Chaz Schilens, the nine other receivers on the roster combine for a total of 37 games of NFL experience, two starts and just 39 catches.

Ryan’s tough words for Kerley, as well as his announcement the Jets could use cornerback Antonio Cromartie at the receiver spot on occasion, beg the question: Do the Jets have enough firepower at receiver, albeit in a ground-and-pound offense?

“You’d much rather have guys that have more game experience,” Ryan conceded, “but you know, that size and speed that these guys bring is intriguing.”

The Jets took steps to add that size and speed to the receiving corps this offseason, signing Schilens and drafting Stephen Hill, who are both 6-foot-4 and ran sub-4.4 times in their pre-draft 40-yard dashes.

But as for experience? Gone is Braylon Edwards, for example, a veteran who teamed with Holmes in 2010. Receivers coach Sanjay Lal said he actually prefers a young group of players, citing his experience in Oakland starting wide receivers like Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

“I think it’s the greatest thing you can have,” Lal said. “The group grows as a whole together. You don’t have people with preconceived notions, bad habits. As a coach, you get to build these guys the right way and see them grow.”

The Jets’ task is to fit the pieces together into a way that maximizes their talent. Holmes, as the No. 1 receiver, has to be used both outside and inside, Lal said. He explained, “if you see a play where, ‘Oh, I think this ball is going to the slot guy,’ I want the liberty to put him at that position.”

Hill has been working as the “Z” receiver, or the flanker. Schilens, who was coached by Lal in Oakland, can play outside and also inside on plays that suit a bigger receiver running up the seam.

Kerley’s 5-foot-9 frame and quickness make him an ideal slot receiver. But if he continues to be slowed by his hamstring injuries, the Jets are prepared to adjust.

“What I have told the group,” Lal said, “is the best three are playing.”

And Cromartie is the wild card, as he potentially could be used in certain spots that take advantage of his athleticism. Lal said the coaches have assembled a package for him, but haven’t practiced it yet, and will see which routes he can execute.

A unit in which one receiver, Holmes, has more than triple the career production of the other 10 receivers combined, no doubt has something to prove. But Schilens instead sees a recipe that could work for the Jets.

“Young can get the job done,” Schilens said. “Often time the young guys, they don’t know when to stop, and they’ll go above and beyond to get the job done.

“So I think it’s a good thing. Young guys are really eager; heck, I’m still eager. ... Santonio has done everything, so we follow his lead and we’ll be fine.”